U.S. patent number 9,105,182 [Application Number 13/791,176] was granted by the patent office on 2015-08-11 for communication system and portable machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is Koji Takizawa, Yosuke Tomita. Invention is credited to Koji Takizawa, Yosuke Tomita.
United States Patent |
9,105,182 |
Tomita , et al. |
August 11, 2015 |
Communication system and portable machine
Abstract
A communication system includes a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, the portable
machine being capable of conducting wireless communications with
the controlled object, and a portable terminal being capable of
conducting noncontact wireless communications with the portable
machine, wherein after noncontact wireless communications start
between the portable machine and the portable terminal, the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do not resume unless
a specified instruction is given.
Inventors: |
Tomita; Yosuke (Aichi,
JP), Takizawa; Koji (Aichi, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tomita; Yosuke
Takizawa; Koji |
Aichi
Aichi |
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP |
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Assignee: |
OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD. (Aichi, JP)
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Family
ID: |
49029778 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/791,176 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130234827 A1 |
Sep 12, 2013 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 8, 2012 [JP] |
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2012-052336 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08C
17/02 (20130101); G08C 23/04 (20130101); Y02D
70/42 (20180101); H04B 5/0031 (20130101); G08C
2201/50 (20130101); B60R 25/24 (20130101); Y02D
70/142 (20180101); G06F 7/00 (20130101); Y02D
30/70 (20200801); G08C 2201/40 (20130101); Y02D
70/166 (20180101); Y02D 70/144 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08C
23/04 (20060101); B60R 25/24 (20130101); H04B
5/00 (20060101); G08C 17/02 (20060101); G06F
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/5.61,5.64,426.13,425.5 ;180/287 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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06-131590 |
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May 1994 |
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JP |
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H11-241539 |
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Sep 1999 |
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JP |
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2006-221477 |
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Aug 2006 |
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JP |
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2007-046395 |
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Feb 2007 |
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JP |
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2008-291422 |
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Dec 2008 |
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JP |
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2010-018976 |
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Jan 2010 |
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JP |
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2010-028753 |
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Feb 2010 |
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JP |
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2010-130310 |
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Jun 2010 |
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JP |
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4496511 |
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Jul 2010 |
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JP |
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2011-087058 |
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Apr 2011 |
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JP |
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2012-015622 |
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Jan 2012 |
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JP |
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2006090460 |
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Aug 2006 |
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WO |
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Other References
Patent Abstracts of Japan for Japanese Publication No. 2007-046395,
publication date Feb. 22, 2007 (1 page). cited by applicant .
Patent Abstracts of Japan for Japanese Publication No. 06-131590,
publication date May 13, 1994 (1 page). cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2012-052336, mailed on
Jul. 8, 2014 (15 page). cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Girma; Fekadeselassie
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Osha Liang LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication system comprising: a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, wherein the
portable machine conducts wireless communications with the
controlled object: and a portable terminal that conducts noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine, wherein the
portable terminal includes: a first transmission unit transmitting
a first signal to the portable machine; and a first reception unit
receiving a second signal from the portable machine, the portable
machine includes: a second reception unit receiving the first
signal which the first transmission unit has transmitted; a control
unit controlling generation of the second signal, in relation to
the first signal which the second reception unit has received; and
a second transmission unit transmitting the second signal generated
by the control unit to the first reception unit of the portable
terminal, wherein after noncontact wireless communications start
between the portable machine and the portable terminal, the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited by inhibiting the
first transmission unit from transmitting the first signal, in a
case where the noncontact wireless communications are successfully
established a prescribed number of times or more within a
predetermined period, in a case where the noncontact wireless
communications stay established over a predetermined period or
longer, or in a case where a user does not operate the portable
terminal over a predetermined period or longer, and then do not
resume unless any user's operation to the portable terminal is
given, or unless a phone call for the portable terminal is
given.
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, in a
case where the noncontact wireless communications are successfully
established the prescribed number of times or more within the
predetermined period, or in a case where the noncontact wireless
communications stay established over the predetermined period or
longer, the control unit of the portable machine transmits the
second signal and a transmission inhibiting request signal for
inhibiting transmission of the first signal, and wherein, when
receiving the transmission inhibiting request signal, the portable
terminal inhibits the transmission of the first signal.
3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when
noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal activates a predetermined
application and exhibits a display for the application on a
screen.
4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the
portable terminal turns off the display on the screen, along with
the inhibition of the noncontact wireless communications.
5. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein after the
noncontact wireless communications are inhibited, when receiving a
user's operation for displaying the screen, the portable terminal
displays, on the screen, a notification that the noncontact
wireless communications have been inhibited and an operation method
of giving the specified instruction.
6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when
receiving the any user's operation, the portable terminal displays,
on the screen, a notification that the noncontact wireless
communications have been inhibited, and restarts noncontact
wireless communications in response to an operation other than the
any user's operation.
7. A communication system comprising: a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, wherein the
portable machine conducts wireless communications with the
controlled object: and a portable terminal that conducts noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine, wherein after
noncontact wireless communications start between the portable
machine and the portable terminal, the noncontact wireless
communications are inhibited when a predetermined condition is
satisfied, and then do not resume unless a specified instruction is
given, wherein when noncontact wireless communications are
established with the portable machine, the portable terminal
activates a predetermined application and exhibits a display for
the application on a screen, and wherein the portable terminal
turns off the display on the screen, along with the inhibition of
the noncontact wireless communications.
8. A communication system comprising: a portable machine having an
identification code registered in a controlled object, wherein the
portable machine conducts wireless communications with the
controlled object: and a portable terminal that conducts noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine, wherein after
noncontact wireless communications start between the portable
machine and the portable terminal, the noncontact wireless
communications are inhibited when a predetermined condition is
satisfied, and then do not resume unless a specified instruction is
given, wherein when noncontact wireless communications are
established with the portable machine, the portable terminal
activates a predetermined application and exhibits a display for
the application on a screen, and wherein after the noncontact
wireless communications are inhibited, when receiving a user's
operation for displaying the screen, the portable terminal
displays, on the screen, a notification that the noncontact
wireless communications have been inhibited and an operation method
of giving the specified instruction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a communication system and a
portable machine, and in particular to a communication system and a
portable machine which are related to respective three nodes of a
controlled object such as a vehicle, a portable machine, and a
portable terminal.
2. Related Art
Currently, systems are generally known, in which a vehicle portable
machine (hereinafter, referred to as an "FOB") of a vehicle user
communicates with a vehicle through radio waves. Existing portable
terminals, such as portable phones or smartphones, are equipped
with a function of relatively short-distance communications,
including Bluetooth.TM. and Near Field Communication (NFC). With
this function, wireless communications are widely conducted between
a portable terminal and a vehicle or an FOB (for example, see JP
4496511 B1).
Such a wireless communication function is also used to acquire
information from a vehicle or operate the vehicle.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,821,383 discloses a technique in which
a portable terminal acquires various information regarding a state
of a vehicle, such as a voltage drop of a battery, or someone's
intrusion into the vehicle, and displays the acquired information
on the screen.
JP 2007-046395 A discloses a vehicle information setting device,
which conducts wireless communications with a vehicle by using a
portable phone as an interface through an FOB, and displays
information regarding the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle
information setting device is configured to set and control
on-board apparatuses (for example, locking or unlocking of the
doors).
Unfortunately, there are cases where the communication apparatus,
such as an FOB or a portable terminal, communicates with the
partner more than necessarily when both a communication apparatus
and its partner are present within areas which electromagnetic
waves reach. In this case, the communication apparatus may consume
unnecessary electricity.
In consideration of such disadvantage, for example, JP 2010-130310
A discloses a communication device that aims to decrease the
electricity consumption. The communication device is configured to
transmit attribute information regarding a communication capacity
thereof, and in turn receive attribute information regarding a
communication capacity of a target. If the received attribute
information indicates that the target is equipped with a
communication function in a power saving mode, the communication
device turns off the emission of an electromagnetic wave over a
predetermined period after transmitting data.
JP 2010-028753 A discloses a communication device that aims to
decrease the electricity consumption for proximity wireless
communications. The communication device includes a proximity
wireless communication device and an approaching detection unit
that has lower electricity consumption than the proximity wireless
communication device in an idle state. Then, the approaching
detection unit detects a proximity state of another proximity
wireless communication device or a removal from the proximity state
thereof. When this proximity position state is detected, the
communication device causes the proximity wireless communication
device to be restored from a sleep state. Meanwhile, when the
removal of the proximity state is detected, the communication
device causes the proximity wireless communication device to enter
the sleep state. Thus, the communication device causes the
proximity wireless communication device to operate only when the
proximity state is detected.
JP 06-131590 A discloses a movable body identification device that
completes communications with a response unit moving at a high
speed with a single communication sequence, and therefore does not
more than necessarily conduct communications. In the movable body
identification device, when the response unit enters a beam area of
a question unit and receives an activation command, it transmits an
activation response to the question unit. In turn, when receiving
this activation response, the question unit transmits an operation
command. When receiving the operation command, the response unit
performs a predetermined operation, and then transmits an operation
response. After that, the response unit receives a termination
command indicating the termination of a series of communication
sequences, and then enters a reception inhibition state over a
predetermined period.
WO 2006/090460 A discloses a portable information terminal, which
is a portable communication apparatus such as a portable phone and
which enables application software to be activated through a simple
user's operation. The portable information terminal is equipped
with a reader (receiver) of a wireless IC tag. When being placed
near the wireless IC tag, the portable information terminal reads
information from the wireless IC tag. Then, the portable
information terminal automatically activates an application related
to this information, and displays it on the screen.
In many cases, however, an FOB and a portable terminal are held
together, for example, in a user's pocket or bag. In such cases, an
FOB and a portable terminal are likely to establish communications
regardless of a user's intention and a screen of the portable
terminal is maintained in an ON state. As a result, the unnecessary
electricity may be consumed.
SUMMARY
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a
communication system and the like, which prevent communications
from being conducted more than necessarily between an FOB and a
portable terminal regardless of a user's intention, and which stops
a screen of the portable terminal from more than necessarily
remaining in an ON state, thereby decreasing the unnecessary
electricity consumption.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a communication system including: a portable machine that
has an identification code registered in a controlled object and
that can conduct wireless communications with the controlled
object: and a portable terminal that can conduct noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine. In the
communication system, after noncontact wireless communications
start between the portable machine and the portable terminal
communication unit, the noncontact wireless communications are
inhibited when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do
not resume unless a specified instruction is given.
With this configuration, the communication system can be provided,
which prevents communications from being conducted more than
necessarily between the portable machine and the portable terminal
regardless of a user's intention, and which stops the screen of the
portable terminal from more than necessarily remaining in the ON
state if the screen of the portable terminal enters an ON state
along with the start of the communications. Consequently, it is
possible to decrease the unnecessary electricity consumption.
The portable terminal may include: a first transmission unit that
transmits a first signal to the portable machine; and a first
reception unit that receives a second signal from the portable
machine. The portable machine may include: a second reception unit
that receives the first signal which the first transmission unit
has transmitted; a control unit that controls generation of the
second signal, in relation to the first signal which the second
reception unit has received; and a second transmission unit that
transmits the second signal generated by the control unit to the
first reception unit of the portable terminal. The portable
terminal may inhibit the first transmission unit from transmitting
the first signal, when the predetermined condition is
satisfied.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable terminal detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit of
the portable machine may transmit a transmission inhibiting request
signal for the first signal, in addition to the second signal.
Then, when receiving the transmission inhibiting request signal,
the portable terminal may inhibit the transmission of the first
signal.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and the portable terminal inhibits the
communications.
The portable terminal may include: a first transmission unit that
transmits a first signal to the portable machine; and a first
reception unit that receives a second signal from the portable
machine. The portable machine may include: a second reception unit
that receives the first signal which the first transmission unit
has transmitted; a control unit that controls generation of the
second signal, in relation to the first signal which the second
reception unit has received; and a second transmission unit that
transmits the second signal generated by the control unit to the
first reception unit of the portable terminal. The portable machine
may inhibit the second transmission unit from transmitting the
second signal, when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
When noncontact wireless communications are established with the
portable machine, the portable terminal may activate a
predetermined application and exhibit a display for the application
on a screen.
The above configuration allows a user to receive a notification,
when the noncontact wireless communications are established.
The portable terminal may turn off the display on the screen, along
with the inhibition of the noncontact wireless communications.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the display is automatically
turned off on the screen, along with the inhibition of the
communications.
After the noncontact wireless communications are inhibited, when
receiving a user's operation for displaying the screen, the
portable terminal may display, on the screen, a notification that
the noncontact wireless communications have been inhibited and an
operation method of giving the specified instruction.
This configuration allows the user to confirm the communication
state, and be informed of a next possible operation.
The specified instruction may be a user's predetermined first
operation with the portable terminal.
With the above configuration, the communications can be prevented
from resuming regardless of a user's intention, because the
communications resume in response to the user's predetermined
operation.
When receiving the predetermined first operation, the portable
terminal may display, on the screen, a notification that the
noncontact wireless communications have been inhibited, and
restarts noncontact wireless communications in response to a
predetermined second operation.
The above configuration causes the resuming of the communications
to conform to the user's intention, because the communications
resume in response to the predetermined operation after the user
confirms the communication state.
The portable terminal may recognize a user's operation, as the
specified instruction, and cause the first transmission unit to
resume transmitting the first signal.
With this configuration, the noncontact wireless communications can
resume promptly, in response to the user's operation.
When receiving the second signals prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable terminal may determine that the
predetermined condition is satisfied.
With this configuration, the portable terminal can inhibit the
noncontact communications, after the portable machine reliably
confirms a state where the noncontact communications are to be
inhibited.
When receiving the first signals prescribed times within a
predetermined period, the portable machine may determine that the
predetermined condition is satisfied.
With this configuration, the portable machine can inhibit the
noncontact communications, after the portable terminal reliably
confirms a state where the noncontact communications are to be
inhibited.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a portable machine that has an identification code
registered in a controlled object and that can conduct wireless
communications with the controlled object and noncontact wireless
communication with the portable terminal. In the portable machine,
after noncontact wireless communications start with the portable
terminal, the noncontact wireless communications are inhibited when
a predetermined condition is satisfied, and then do not resume
unless a specified instruction is given.
With this configuration, the portable machine can be provided,
which prevents communications from being conducted more than
necessarily between the portable machine and the portable terminal
regardless of a user's intention, and which stops the screen of the
portable terminal from more than necessarily remaining in the ON
state if the screen of the portable terminal enters an ON state
along with the start of the communications. It is thus possible to
decrease the unnecessary electricity consumption.
The portable machine may include: a reception unit that receives a
first signal which the portable terminal has transmitted; a control
unit that controls generation of a second signal, in relation to
the first signal which the reception unit has received; and a
transmission unit that transmits the second signal generated by the
control unit to the portable terminal. The portable machine may
inhibit the transmission unit from transmitting the second signal,
when the predetermined condition is satisfied.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit may
transmit a transmission inhibiting request signal for the first
signal, in addition to the second signal.
With the above configuration, the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased, because the portable machine detects
the predetermined condition, and inhibits the communications.
The portable machine may further include a user's operation
reception unit, and the specified instruction may be a user's
predetermined operation with the user's operation reception
unit.
With the above configuration, the communications can be prevented
from resuming regardless of a user's intention, because the
communications resume in response to the user's predetermined
operation with the portable machine.
As described above, a communication system and a portable machine
can be provided, which prevent communications from being conducted
more than necessarily between a portable machine (FOB) and the
portable terminal regardless of a user's intention, and which stop
a screen of the portable terminal from more than necessarily
remaining in an ON state. Consequently, it is possible to decrease
the unnecessary electricity consumption.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a communication system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the
communication system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory flowchart of a process of establishing NFC
communications between a portable machine and a portable
terminal;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which the NFC
communications are inhibited between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, when staying established over a predetermined
period or longer;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which the NFC
communications are inhibited between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, when the NFC communications have been
established prescribed times or more within a predetermined
period;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process performed by the portable
terminal in the communication system according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, in which: after NFC
communications are established between the portable machine and the
portable terminal, a vehicle program exhibits a display on a screen
of the portable terminal; and the NFC communications are inhibited
when a user does not perform any operation over a predetermined
period or longer; and
FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts of a process performed by the
communication system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, in which after being inhibited between the
portable machine and the portable terminal, the NFC communications
resume:
more specifically, FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a process performed by
the portable terminal, and FIG. 7B is a flowchart of a process
performed by the portable machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view illustrating a communication system 1
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The
communication system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a portable machine
20, and a portable terminal 30.
The vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20 conduct wireless
communications with each other by using, for example, LF (low
frequency) or UHF (ultra high frequency) radio waves, and each of
them transmits/receives various commands, information, and the like
through the communications. Because the portable machine 20
functions as a key of the vehicle 10, for example, a highly secure,
distinctive communication scheme is applied to communications
between the vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20.
The portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 conduct
noncontact wireless communications with each other whose maximum
communication distance is approximately several centimeters, and
each of them transmits/receives various commands, information, and
the like through the communications. For a scheme of communications
between the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30, a
typical communication standard may be utilized, including: an NFC
(Near Field Communication) that conforms to a communication
standard, such as Felica.TM., MIFARE.TM., applied to, for example,
RFID communications or the like, namely, short-distance wireless
communications; and infra-red communications, such as IrDA DATA.
Because both of the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal
30 are typically held and used by a single user, noncontact
wireless communications with a short maximum communication distance
are enough.
The portable terminal 30 and the vehicle 10 directly conduct
wireless communications with each other in accordance with a
typical communication standard, such as NFC, infra-red
communications, Bluetooth.TM., an internet connection (Wi-Fi,
etc.), or a telephone line (W-CDMA, etc.), and each of them may
selectively transmit/receive various commands, information, and the
like through the communications. A communication distance between
the portable terminal 30 and the vehicle 10 may be longer than that
between the portable machine 20 and the vehicle 10. Therefore, a
telephone line or an increasingly popularized internet connection
is used for the communications therebetween, in addition to a
short-distance wireless communication scheme. As a result, even
when the vehicle 10 parks in an underground parking area where the
UHF communications cannot be established from the portable machine
20 to the vehicle 10, the portable terminal 30 can directly
communicate with the vehicle 10 through a telephone line or an
internet connection.
The portable machine 20 is equipped with a function of a key unique
to the vehicle 10, and an identification code unique to the
portable machine 20 is registered with the vehicle 10. The portable
machine 20 has functions of, for example, a typically physical key
of the vehicle 10, or an entry key of a smart entry system. In more
detail, when the door of the vehicle 10 is locked or unlocked with
the operation of a switch or the like near a door of the vehicle
10, when the vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20 enter a state
of being able to communicate with each other, or when a user
operates the portable machine 20, this situation triggers the
portable machine 20 to, for example, acquire vehicle information
from the vehicle 10.
The portable machine 20 also has a function of relaying the
communications between the vehicle 10 and the portable terminal 30.
In more detail, the portable machine 20 can receive a command,
information, or the like transmitted from the vehicle 10, and
forward it to the portable terminal 30. Likewise, the portable
machine 20 can receive a command, information, or the like
transmitted from the portable terminal 30, and forward it to the
vehicle 10.
There is no specific limitation on a type of the portable terminal
30, as long as it is a portable apparatus which: enables noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine 20; can acquire
and display vehicle information; contains a predetermined
executable application program for operating the vehicle 10
(hereinafter, referred to as "vehicle program"); and is provided
with a display unit for displaying the vehicle information.
Examples of the portable terminal 30 include a portable phone, a
smartphone, a portable information terminal (PDA), a portable music
player, and a portable game machine. In addition, examples of the
"vehicle information" include a locked state of each door, a
remaining amount of fuel, a remaining battery level, an elapsed
time since the last charge, an ON/OFF state of lamps, a temperature
in a vehicle room, a temperature surrounding a vehicle, and a
location of a vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the
communication system 1 of this embodiment. First, a description
will be given of an outline of a process performed between the
vehicle 10 and the portable machine 20, with reference to FIG. 2.
The communication system 1 includes the portable machine 20 that
can conduct wireless communications with the vehicle 10, and a
portable terminal 30 that can conduct noncontact wireless
communications with the portable machine 20. When a user performs a
command operation that instructs the acquisition of vehicle
information or the control of the vehicle 10 with the portable
machine 20 or the portable terminal 30, this command is transmitted
from a to-vehicle communication unit 24 of the portable machine 20
to a vehicle communication unit 11 of the vehicle 10. On the basis
of this transmitted command, in the vehicle 10, a vehicle control
unit 12 controls a corresponding on-board apparatus, or a vehicle
information acquisition unit 13 acquires corresponding vehicle
information. Then, the vehicle 10 transmits the controlled result
or acquired vehicle information to the to-vehicle communication
unit 24 of the portable machine 20 from the vehicle communication
unit 11. As a result, the portable machine 20 stores the controlled
result or vehicle information in a storage unit 25.
After the portable machine 20 acquires the vehicle information from
the vehicle 10 in the above manner, when the portable machine 20
and the portable terminal 30 are present within a distance over
which noncontact wireless communications are available, they
conduct the noncontact wireless communications. Once starting
between the portable machine 20 and a portable terminal
communication unit 31 in accordance with a predetermined protocol,
the noncontact wireless communications are established therebetween
unless any specific problem occurs. It should be noted that a
protocol of starting and establishing NFC communications
(noncontact wireless communications) between the portable machine
20 and the portable terminal 30 will be described later.
Both of the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 are
configured to be held and carried by a user. For example, in many
cases, the user carries the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 while holding them in the same pocket or bag. In this
case, while the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal
communication unit 31 are kept, for example, in a user's bag or
pocket within a distance over which the noncontact wireless
communications are available, the noncontact wireless
communications are continuously conducted therebetween. However,
after the noncontact wireless communications start between the
portable machine 20 and the portable terminal communication unit 31
that are present within a distance over which the noncontact
wireless communications are available, the communication system 1
inhibits the noncontact wireless communications when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and then does not resume them
unless a specified instruction is given.
The above configuration prevents the communications from being
conducted more than necessarily between the portable machine 20 and
the portable terminal 30 regardless of a user's intention. On the
other hand, when the noncontact wireless communications start, the
portable terminal 30 indicates the establishment of the
communications on the screen by turning ON, for example, an LED
lamp for screen display. Therefore, while the noncontact wireless
communications are being conducted, the screen of the portable
terminal 30 is maintained in an ON state since the start of the
communications. In this case, however, the communication system 1
can prevent the screen from remaining in the ON state.
Consequently, it is possible for the communication system 1 to
decrease the unnecessary electricity consumption.
More specifically, the portable terminal 30 of the communication
system 1 includes a first transmission unit 32 that transmits a
first signal to the portable machine 20, and a first reception unit
33 that receives a second signal from the portable machine 20. The
portable machine 20 includes: a second reception unit 22 that
receives the first signal that the first transmission unit 32 has
transmitted; a control unit 23 that controls generation of the
second signal, in relation to the first signal which the second
reception unit 22 has received; and a second transmission unit 21
that transmits the second signal generated by the control unit 23
to the first reception unit 33 of the portable terminal 30.
The portable terminal 30 may inhibit the first transmission unit 32
from transmitting the first signal, when the predetermined
condition is satisfied. Specifically, unless the portable terminal
30 transmits the first signal for calling the portable machine 20,
noncontact wireless communications do not start between the
portable terminal 30 and the portable machine 20. Thus, the
portable terminal 30 detects the predetermined condition and
inhibits the communications, so that the unnecessary electricity
consumption can be decreased.
Alternatively, the portable machine 20 may inhibit the second
transmission unit 21 from transmitting the second signal, when the
predetermined condition is satisfied. Unless the portable machine
20 transmits the second signal that is a response to the call from
the portable terminal 30, no noncontact wireless communication is
established. Thus, the portable machine 20 detects the
predetermined condition and inhibits the communications, so that
the unnecessary electricity consumption can be decreased.
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 23
of the portable machine 20 may transmit a transmission inhibiting
request signal for the first signal, in addition to the second
signal. When receiving this transmission inhibiting request signal,
the portable terminal 30 may inhibit the transmission of the first
signal. Thus, the portable machine 20 detects the predetermined
condition, and the portable terminal 30 inhibits the
communications, so that the unnecessary electricity consumption can
be decreased.
It should be noted that the expression "the predetermined
condition" refers to, for example, a case where the noncontact
wireless communications are successfully established prescribed
times or more within a predetermined period, a case where the
noncontact wireless communications stay established over a
predetermined period or longer, or a case where a vehicle program
is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal 30 and a user
does not operate the portable terminal 30 over a predetermined
period or longer. The detail thereof will be described later.
For example, it is assumed that while a battery of the vehicle 10
is being charged at a power supply station, a user attempts to
acquire vehicle information indicating how much the battery is
charged, by operating the portable terminal 30, in order to confirm
the charging state of the battery. When the user places the
portable terminal 30 next to the portable machine 20 or puts the
portable terminal 30 on the portable machine 20, noncontact
wireless communications are established therebetween. In response,
the portable terminal 30 activates the vehicle program that is a
predetermined application, and displays the image of this
application on a portable terminal display unit 36. In this way,
the image of the application is automatically displayed simply by
arranging the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30
close to each other. As a result, the user can promptly perform a
desired operation or confirm desired vehicle information.
Next, when performing a command operation with a portable terminal
operation reception unit 35, in which information regarding the
charging state of the battery is acquired from the vehicle 10
through the application, the user can acquire this information from
the portable machine 20. Here, a portable terminal control unit 34
controls interfaces between the portable terminal communication
unit 31 and the portable terminal operation reception unit 35 and
between the portable terminal communication unit 31 and the
portable terminal display unit 36, in relation to the
application.
The user confirms the acquired charging state of the battery, and
leaves the portable terminal 30 next to the portable machine 20. In
this case, the portable terminal 30 maintains the noncontact
wireless communications with the portable machine 20. However, when
the noncontact wireless communications stay established over a
predetermined period or longer, the portable terminal 30 or the
portable machine 20 inhibits the noncontact wireless
communications.
The above process of inhibiting the noncontact wireless
communications will be described, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory flowchart of a process from the start to
establishment of typical NFC communications (noncontact wireless
communications) between the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the
portable terminal 30, in which the NFC communications are inhibited
between the portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30, when
staying established over a predetermined period or longer.
Referring to FIG. 3, first, the establishment of the NFC
communications will be described. At S800, the portable terminal 30
that is equipped with the portable terminal communication unit 31
having an NFC reader/writer function generates electromagnetic
waves at regular intervals. Each electromagnetic wave corresponds
to the first signal with which the portable terminal communication
unit 31 calls the portable machine 20. Then, the portable terminal
30 inquires whether or not the portable machine 20 is present
within an area where they can communicate with each other. In this
embodiment, a frequency of the electromagnetic wave may be 13.56
MHz, but needless to say, there is no limitation on the frequency
of the electromagnetic wave.
If the portable machine 20 is present at a location to receive the
electromagnetic waves, at S802, the portable machine 20 induces an
electromotive force, on the basis of the electromagnetic waves. At
S804, the portable machine 20 activates a CPU thereof by means of
the induced electromotive force. Once the CPU is activated, at
S806, the portable machine 20 transmits a unique identification
code thereof to the portable terminal 30, thereby responding to the
inquiry of the portable terminal 30. In the case of inhibiting the
transmission of the second signal, when determining that the
predetermined condition is satisfied despite the activation of the
CPU, the control unit 23 of the portable machine 20 does not
transmit the second signal that is a response to the calling from
the portable terminal 30, without performing the process of
S806.
At S808, upon receiving the response, the portable terminal 30
transmits an inquiry signal to the portable machine 20 by using the
received identification code. At S810, upon receiving the inquiry
signal, the portable machine 20 transmits a response signal to the
portable terminal 30. At S812, upon receiving the response signal,
the portable terminal 30 transmits an authentication code to the
portable machine 20.
At S814, upon receiving the authentication code, the portable
machine 20 transmits an encrypted computation code to the portable
terminal 30, and recognizes that the NFC communications have been
successfully established with the portable terminal 30. At S816,
upon receiving the encrypted computation code, the portable
terminal 30 recognizes that the NFC communications have been
successfully established with the portable machine 20. Eventually,
the portable terminal 30 transmits a command signal to the portable
machine 20.
Accordingly, the expression "the NFC communications have been
successfully established" refers to a fact that both of the
portable machine 20 and the portable terminal 30 have recognized
the establishment of the NFC communications through processes of
S800 to S816. It should be noted that both processes of S808 and
S812 may be performed at the same time.
Next, a description will be given of a process in which the
portable terminal 30 inhibits the noncontact wireless
communications, when the noncontact wireless communications stay
established over a predetermined period or longer, with reference
to FIG. 4. When the user places the portable terminal 30 next to
the portable machine 20, at S202, the portable terminal 30 and the
portable machine 20 perform the processes, as described above, of
S800 to S816. When the process proceeds to S816 at S204, if the
portable terminal 30 recognizes that the NFC communications have
been successfully established, the process proceeds to S206.
Otherwise, if the portable terminal 30 does not recognize it, any
process is no longer performed.
If the NFC communications have been successfully established ("YES"
at S204), at S206, the portable terminal 30 activates a vehicle
program that is a predetermined application. At S208, the portable
terminal 30 displays the image of the application on the portable
terminal display unit 36. When acquiring a charging state of the
battery, the portable terminal 30 displays this state. After that,
the user leaves the portable terminal 30 for a while. At S210, the
portable terminal 30 checks whether or not the NFC communications
are still conducted. Then, if the user leaves the portable terminal
30 next to the portable machine 20 without operating it, the NFC
communications will be continuously conducted without being broken
off. Therefore, the process proceeds to S212.
At S212, the portable terminal 30 keeps checking whether or not the
NFC communications are still conducted until, for example, five
minutes pass since the establishment of the NFC communications. If
the NFC communications are never broken off for five minutes or
longer, at S214, the NFC communications are inhibited from being
conducted. Specifically, in the case where the portable terminal 30
inhibits the NFC communications, the portable terminal 30 stops
generating electromagnetic waves at the start of the NFC
communications. In this case, the processes starting from S800 are
not performed. Otherwise, in the case where the portable machine 20
inhibits the NFC communications, the portable machine 20 inhibits
the interrupt in the NFC communications.
When the NFC communications are inhibited, at S216, a timer is
cleared. It should be noted that in the case of checking whether or
not the NFC communications are still conducted at S210, even if the
user moves the portable terminal 30 from the area neighboring the
portable machine 20 and therefore the NFC communications are broken
off ("NO" at S210), the timer is cleared at S216. Moreover, if the
NFC communications are not successfully established at S204 ("NO"
at S204), the process is no longer performed.
Next, description will be given of a process in which the portable
terminal 30 inhibits the noncontact wireless communications, when
the noncontact wireless communications are established prescribed
times or more within a predetermined period, with reference to FIG.
5. For example, it is assumed that the user picks up the portable
terminal 30 placed next to the portable machine 20 with his/her
hand, and is moving it. During this time, the NFC communications
are not maintained but are established intermittently. Hereinafter,
a description that overlaps that having been given with reference
to FIG. 4 will be omitted as appropriate. Processes of S100 to A108
are the same as those of S200 to S208, respectively.
The timer starts at S110, if, for example, ten minutes have not
passed since the NFC communications are established once ("NO" at
S110), at S118, the number of times in which the NFC communications
have been successfully established, namely, the processes of S800
to S816 have been performed is counted up. The timer may be counted
by an interrupt process. If the counted number is less than five at
S120 ("NO" at S120), the portable terminal 30 repeats the processes
of S104 to S118. Otherwise, if the count becomes five or more
("YES" at S120), the portable terminal 30 inhibits the NFC
communications.
Alternatively, if receiving the second signals from the portable
machine 20 prescribed times within a predetermined period, the
portable terminal 30 may determine that the predetermined condition
is satisfied, and inhibit the NFC communications. With this
processing, after the portable machine 20 reliably confirms a state
where the noncontact wireless communications are to be inhibited,
the portable terminal 30 can inhibit it. Alternatively, likewise,
as for the portable machine 20, if receiving the first signals from
the portable terminal 30 prescribed times within a predetermined
period, the portable machine 20 may determine that the
predetermined condition is satisfied, and inhibit the NFC
communications. With this processing, after the portable terminal
30 reliably confirms a state where the noncontact wireless
communications are to be inhibited, the portable machine 20 can
inhibit it.
Furthermore, the portable terminal 30 turns OFF the display on the
screen, in addition to inhibiting the NFC communications, at S124.
With this processing, the display is automatically turned OFF on
the screen along with the inhibition of the communications, so that
the unnecessary electricity consumption can be decreased.
Displaying an image on the screen may become a main cause of
consuming the electricity of a battery in the portable terminal 30,
such as a portable phone or a smartphone. However, while the
noncontact wireless communications are being inhibited, the display
on the screen is maintained in an OFF state. As a result, the
portable terminal 30 does not consume the electricity more than
necessarily.
Moreover, when the user performs an operation of displaying any
image after the inhibition of the NFC communications, the portable
terminal 30 may display, on the portable terminal display unit 36,
a notification that the NFC communications have been inhibited and
an operation method of giving a specified instruction. This
configuration allows the user to confirm the communication state,
and be informed of a next possible operation.
Next, a description will be given of a process performed by the
portable terminal 30, in which after the NFC communications are
established between the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 and then the vehicle program displays the image of an
application on the screen of the portable terminal 30, the NFC
communications are inhibited if the user does not perform any
operation over a predetermined period or longer, with reference to
FIG. 6. For example, it is assumed that the user picks up the
portable terminal 30 placed next to the portable machine 20 with
his/her hand, and randomly operates the portable terminal 30.
At S302, the user activates an application that is the vehicle
program, and at S304, this application displays an image on the
screen. If the user operates the application at S306 ("YES" at
S306), this application performs a process based on the user's
operation at S308. At S310, the timer is cleared, and the process
proceeds to S312.
Otherwise, the user does not perform any operation at S306 ("NO" at
S306), the process directly proceeds to S312. At S312, for example,
the portable terminal 30 checks whether or not, for example, five
minutes have passed with the timer. If this time period has not yet
passed ("NO" at S312)", the portable terminal 30 repeats the
processes of S306 to S310. Otherwise, if, for example, five minutes
or longer have passed since the last operation ("YES" at S312), the
portable terminal 30 inhibits the NFC communications at S314. At
S316, because the user have not performed any operation over a
predetermined period or longer, the screen of the portable terminal
30 is turned OFF and enters a sleep mode. In this case, when the
user performs a next operation and the screen is turned ON, the
portable terminal 30 may display a message indicating that the NFC
communications are halted.
Next, a description will be given of a process of resuming the NFC
communications between the portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 after the NFC communications are inhibited, with
reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. Specifically, FIG. 7A depicts a
process performed by the portable terminal 30, and FIG. 7B depicts
a process performed by the portable machine 20. In order to resume
the NFC communications, a specified instruction is required. For
example, it is assumed that the user leaves the portable terminal
30 next to the portable machine 20 over a long period, and the NFC
communications are being inhibited therebetween.
The portable terminal 30 detects a user's touch on the screen or a
user's operation at S402, and then resumes NFC communications,
namely, stops inhibiting the transmission of electromagnetic waves
at S403, thereby returning to a state where the process of S800 is
to be performed.
In turn, the portable machine 20 detects a user' operation with the
operation reception unit 26 at S502, and then resumes the NFC
communications, namely, stops inhibiting the NFC interrupt process
(the transmission of the response signal) at S506.
As described above, the specified instruction of resuming the NFC
communications may be a user's predetermined operation with the
portable terminal 30. The portable machine 20 and the portable
terminal 30 resume communications in response to the user's
predetermined operation, in the above manner, so that the
communications can be prevented from resuming regardless of a
user's intention. The specified instruction may be an instruction
given by a phone call for the portable terminal 30. In this case,
it is possible to give an instruction from a remote area.
Moreover, when the predetermined operation is performed, the
portable terminal 30 may display, on the screen, a notification
that the wireless communications have been inhibited, and resume
the NFC wireless communications in response to a different
predetermined operation following the previous operation. In this
case, the user confirms the communication state, and then resumes
the communications with a predetermined operation, so that the
communications can be prevented from resuming regardless of a
user's intention. For example, after confirming, with the previous
operation, the notification that the NFC wireless communications
have been inhibited, the user can resume the NFC wireless
communications with the following predetermined different
operation, for example, swiping the screen of the portable terminal
30 in a specific direction. Alternatively, if the user does not
wish to resume it, he/she may perform a different operation.
Consequently, the resuming of the NFC wireless communications
conforms to the user's intention.
Furthermore, the portable terminal 30 may recognize any user's
operation as the specified instruction, and cause the first
transmission unit 32 to resume transmitting the first signal. With
this configuration, the noncontact wireless communications can
resume promptly, in response to the user's operation.
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment having been described, and configurations of the present
invention may be contemplated without departing from the scopes
described in the individual claims. In more detail, the present
invention, in particular, the specific embodiment has been mainly
illustrated and described, but those skilled in the art can apply
various modifications to the shapes, the materials, the numbers,
and the like of the individual detailed components in the
above-described embodiments, without departing from the technical
spirit and purpose of the present invention. Accordingly, the
description, as disclosed above, that limits the shapes and the
like is a simply illustrative example for facilitating the
understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to
limit the present invention. Therefore, descriptions of names of
members, the limitations on shapes and the like of which are
partially or entirely modified, are included in the present
invention.
For example, in this embodiment, the controlled object is a
vehicle, but there is no limitation on the controlled object.
Alternatively, the controlled object is applicable to a house or
garage.
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